A general surgeon has specialized knowledge and experience related to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management, including the management of complications, in primary components of surgery, all of which are essential to the education of a broadly based surgeon:

Alimentary tract
Abdomen and its contents
Breast, skin, and soft tissue
Head and neck, including trauma, vascular, endocrine, congenital and oncologic disorders — particularly tumors of the skin, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid, and the oral cavity.
Vascular system, excluding the intracranial vessels and heart.
Endocrine system, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and endocrine pancreas.
Surgical oncology, including coordinated multimodality management of the cancer patient by screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up.
Comprehensive management of trauma, including musculoskeletal, hand, and head injuries. The responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient is an essential component of general surgery.
Complete care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions, in the emergency room, intensive care unit and trauma/burn units.